Travel Blog
April 24th, 2008 at 07:48pm
Under Travel Blog
So, roll down the invisible hill again, straight outta Darwin, to Katherine. Or just get straight Outta Katherine if you’re already there already. Like you didn’t know to (get Outta Katherine, that is). Head west, which means south, but those people got it all upside down already, because this time it’s Western Australia that you have in your sights, which is of course West, but the road from the Katherinites perspective somehow departs from Katherine South. Go West - where the big brown land gets bigger and browner and like a gameshow in the outback the rising escarpments say “Come on Down”.
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| The boab tree, nearly as funny as the Western Australians |
So get set for adventure, boab trees (you’ll like this one) and the best weird post-Brutalist sculptures on any roadside ever. Anywhere. Guaranteed.
Onward to the post-brutal West
As you get some kilometres under your belt speeding in a westerly direction along the mighty Victoria Highway away from Katherine and its Hot Springs and Gorge, etcetera etcetera, then you’ll notice the landscape slowly start to rear up and buckle some. Hills are the hot new thing out here, and pretty soon it’s catching on: Big hills are the go and when the rolling wide spaces get the hang of that there are escarpments.
Timber Creek sets the heart a-moving, not for its Wayside Inn nor the quaint little houses on little stilts at the nearby Indigenous community, but for the great towering wall of rock that somehow resembles a giant red piano with its top aloft, ivories etched vertically into the face greeting you as you come over the rise. After flat for breakfast, flat for lunch and, yes, flat for dinner for so long, it’s great to see somewhere take some initiative and stand up for itself and really do something different.
Sure there’s an escarpment in Arnhem Land, out at Oenpelli (Gunbalanya), and another down from Darwin at Hayes Creek. Even Katherine has a gorge and a 20-metre drop into the river bed from the bridge over north of town. But as the landscape’s canvas gets pretty stretched the further west you go, its spots like as this that manage to stand out by virtue of their grand singularity. Or something like that.
Pick your jaw back off your lap, because you’ll probably run into some kind of steering problem with it hanging down there, and get on down the road as Gregory National Park comes beckoning your way. Heck, its got the annual Devil’s Claw Festival (starting May 21 this year) and if that doesn’t go off like a bucket of weeds in the sun then what does? If memory serves me correctly then Gregory is also the second-biggest national park in the Northern Territory, largely because we haven’t crossed the Western Australia border yet, and being big there’s bloody heaps so why not just go there and save the precious paragraphs for that roadside wonder!
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| Keep River National Park |
Pack your swag and keep on west and Keep River National Park will wander by your wheels. A nice stop, there’s lots of national parky goodness and that usually entails a bunch of space, trees, wet bits like creeks et al, and some bits with animals and clumps of dirt. You get the picture?
And, reeling in back in my recliner and reaching for my pipe, I care now to reflect on the trip after New Yeah’s 2002 (that Was a new yeah, ask in Darwin) when we burnt across the border, pursued by nightly displays of thunderheads and lightning all the way to Kununurra. If you’ll allow me a moment more, I shall recall how in Keep River we stood under a covered area some 15-metres wide, bereft of real shelter as the approaching cyclonic winds rendering tent a funny way to use to T’s, and somehow the rain managed to fall horizontally, wetting the ground and us when the odds said we were undercover. (So mental note, January = wet, but subnote: spectacular.)
Suffice to say we packed the van again and drove through puddles that would score a mention on some maps as new formed lakes, as we skipped the last bit across the highway, missing much of Keep River NP’s natural splendour.
An interesting to point to note at this stage, much as the order you find out as you approach the WA border: that load of fresh fruit and veggies you bought back in Katherine to see you through the next two weeks - forget it. Make an omelette, curry, stew, meal or two right now because just for crossing an invisible dotted line you lost the right to own it. Quarantine restrictions mean NO biological matter (they’ll even take beeswax candles) can go across the border. Sad but true. And rumour has it these guys don’t even like fruit or veggies, preferring a steak to anything and scurvy is just another kind of necktie to them.
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| Beef Road Monument: Does it get any better??? |
And crikey! In all that interstate excitement I forgot clear about the wonder of the North itself, combining three of the most important words in the Australian Language: Beef Road Monument. Like some alien Monolith without the adoring apes, or even a runaway Picasso, this mighty block of concrete sporting the unique corrugated iron style is a Must for any family holiday. Damn, I rushed out of the car and hugged it I was so happy to see something that finally settled all my yearnings for beef, roads and monuments in one. It’s not clear how it relates to any of these things, but something inside of me just Knew. You’ve seen brutalism in architecture, there’s “post-“ just about everything as you’d know from any decent late-night campfire postulations (post-structuralist, post-modernist, post-arrivalist) and this thing is so post, that its pretty much post-post-Brutalist its so post-like and Brutal at the same time.
Do yourself a favour, go there and hug it so you know what true, unflinching gratitude can be.
Oh yeah, from there you can drive over the border and on to about one third of Australia’s land mass where you can find the Kimberleys in all their large and resplendent glorious, um… splendour. Rivers with wild crocodiles, gorges beyond description, boab trees (funny things) and Western Australians (even funnier). That’s if you find the need to tear yourself away from the Beef Road Monument. It should probably have National at the start of that, just so we can hang a flag there. I think I’m weeping…
–Jack Brown
Planning a trip? We think Jack is suggesting you check out things to do in Perth, Broome and the splendor of Western Australia, including the Kimberley. But you just never know with Jack.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:46pm
Under Travel Blog
A friend told me the first time I came here, that every summer you spend in Berlin, will be better than the last. You have survived the long winter, now the sunshine is warm and you want to make the most of it.The city parks are indeed plentiful, and inside their lush greenery is where you will find the locals hanging out, enjoying the sunshine and working on their tans.
Many of them have a café, some have Ping Pong tables, a flea market or a lake. And of course, this being Germany, there is often an important site redolent with history to be found close by. So here’s my list of the top places to be, things to do, in Berlin this summer.
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| Yes, there are plenty of things to do in Berlin during summer |
Things to Do in Berlin: Visit a Park
Gorlitzer Park in Kruezberg is across the road from one of the places I stayed on my first trip to Berlin, watching the puffballs float through the air, making my through the chattering Turkish family picnics and groups of young kids hanging out, doing capoiera, or playing ball games. This area was heavily bombed during World War II; an enormous crater is left in the park, showing where the railway underpass ran, as a reminder of the desecration and violence of war. The twisted metal from the railway underneath is formed into an abstract monument, jutting up into the sky. Edelweiss Cafe is opposite the faux roman ruins – an expensive edifice that is crumbling and in genuine decay now, as the sandstone absorbs the water that freezes and then cracks, making them into an all the more authentic, although expensive folly. The café has lush banquette seating, a nice relaxed vibe and upstairs hosts parties, concerts and literary events, in summer the chairs outside are perfect for observing the passing parade.
The Mauer Park hosts one of the best flea markets in town every Sunday, and the wandering musicians and buskers will keep you entertained after you have sifted through the incredibly range of second hand treasures and junk. During the recent Berlinale Film Festival, the crowd suddenly swelled with the upmarket well-dressed international film-set, making a change from the usual mixed array of hipsters, artists, and stalwart locals. The scout hall tucked away in the middle of market is an island of calm, at least until the play area becomes overrun by small children. Until then, get yourself a coffee or beer from the outside bar, and lean back in your deckchair and relax on the sand in the sun, with the generic euro-dance music making it a kind of after-party every Sunday.
This is of course along where the Berlin wall ran, creating a limbo zone on either side, and it has been regenerated over the past 20 years into the lively district it is today. Further down Bernauer Strasse towards Nordbahnhof, a short section of the wall still stands, opposite the new museum and a fascinating open-air exhibition about the history of the street, centering around the construction and eventual destruction of the wall.
Next, lose yourself in the rambling Volkspark Friedrichshain park, which has play areas for all ages – from children to fitness freaks - plus wonderful wooden swings, a lake, elephant statues and some lovely paths winding through hills and monuments. Café Schönbrunn is closest to the Am Friedrichshain street entrance, near the corner of Hans Otto Strasse, overlooking the lake and a gorgeous patch of emerald lawn, it has a cosy minimalist interior and outdoor terrace to enjoy the sun and warm evenings.
Nola’s Am Weinberg Swedish Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge is at the top of the hill in the Volkspark am Weinberg, named after the former vineyards located on the site, between Veternanenstrasse and Kastanienallee. They have a decadent if slightly pricey menu, including a variety of fondues, and there is a special lunch deal of 3 courses for around 8 euro. The view and ambiance make the prices worthwhile, looking over the grassy hill and across the city, and the benches along the terrace are perfect for late afternoon drinks, while the sun disappears behind the trees.
Eve and Adam’s 100% organic salad and smoothie bar (at Rosa Luxemburg Strasse 24-26) will keep your energy flowing with vitality and freshness, perfect summer taste after that walking in the park. All of the containers are biodegradable, and the design is simple and refreshingly open.
Things to Do in Berlin: Mitte Revisited
Now that I’ve lived here for 3 months I’ve found that there is plenty of joy to be found in Mitte, from the Ballhouse to the bathhouse. Schwarzwaldstuben, on the corner of Linienstrasse and Tucholskystrasse, is a fabulous place to while away a decadent afternoon, with robust German dishes and decent coffee. A friend and I tucked ourselves into the couch one afternoon, as we couldn’t head back out onto the streets until the hurricane passed, so spent a lush few hours drinking sekt.
You might want to get back out into the sunshine, and find your way along the many galleries on these two parallel streets to see what’s happening in the commercial art world these days. The scene is definitely hot, hyped and popping, with careers and fortunes being made all over town.
The Ballhaus Mitte, on Auguststrasse, is a fantastic reminder of bygone days, with a minimal entrance fee, old-style charm, live music, and even dance classes a few nights a week.
Stadtbad Mitte has an amazing Russian-style bathhouse and sauna on the third floor, although make sure you follow all the rules during your visit, or the ladies will berate you and fetch the manager to get you back on the program. The dry sauna has an intermediate room with stone benches, and a larger wooden area that gets very hot, and the damp room is satisfyingly steamy. The plunge pool will refresh you in between, if you can dip more than a toe in it, and the relaxing room has a lush array of rocking chairs that tilt back for the full therapeutic effect.
Things to Do in Berlin: Expose Yourself to Art
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| Artnews Projects, Berlin |
The art galleries have blossomed into another cluster along Brunnenstrasse, where if you time your visit to coincide with all their openings, can provide a colourful evening’s entertainment. Artnews Projects has consistently the best shows I’ve seen on this strip, where the New York to Berlin art crowd are making a splash, and I often finish up at Curators without Borders for the best parties, or the after-party at Kim and Zurmobel out the back of Brunnenstrasse 10.
Alternatively make your way out along Invalidenstrasse to Heidestrasse, where a different batch of the art crowd has set up camp, with Tape, AA, Haunch of Venison, and more galleries, Pecha Kucha nights and art scene parties
Program Gallery hosted me for three months, and has an open approach and diverse range of art events and exhibitions, everything from installation to the weekend symposium on sound art and architecture, and most recently a workshop in which the gallery was taken over by a group of fantastically bohemian and very dedicated French artists, who created a river of blood and roasted a pig as part of their work. The gallery also hosts a monthly reading group, and is home to many architects and designers working in the open plan space. Drop by and say hi.
Things to Do in Berlin: Film & Theatre
The tiny cinema opposite Babel at K77 has a great program of art house films, next door is Dock 11 Dance studio for experimental dance, music, literature and film fans. If you really can’t stand being inside, then check out the Freiluftkino open-air cinema. A number of them spring up around the city between May – September, with a great program of new release and classic films.
The Volksbuhne is one of the most innovative and spectacular theatres in town, established in 1914, with a commitment to providing entertaining theatre and an ongoing debate on political and cultural issues. Also hosting live music and ‘expanded theatre’ projects, check out the program for this sumptuous performance venue.
–Jodi Rose
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Berlin tours & things to do in Berlin.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:44pm
Under Travel Blog
Last year Viator offered its first private after-hours tour of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel in Rome. This is a private small-group tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Yes, you heard right — a private two-hour tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, after the crowds go home, without hordes of people spoiling your view.
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| The Creation of Adam, from Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel |
Well, it was a smashing success. So we’re offering it again. Just like last time, tickets are limited to 60 people each evening, and each group will consist of 20 people maximum plus your own guide. And these tickets are only available through Viator.
And just like last time, this private after-hours tour of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel begins after the Vatican Museums are closed to the general public. The evening is hosted by an English-speaking guide specializing in the Italian Renaissance. You can read the full description of the tour over on the main Viator site, and check out reviews from other travelers who took the inaugural tour last year. In fact, here’s an actual review from one of the people who took the tour:
“Our private tour through the Sistine Chapel was definitely the highlight of our trip to Italy. When we first went by the Vatican, the lines waiting to get in were literally almost a mile long. There were fewer than 20 of us on this tour and the guide was marvelous. She knew so much about the history and the art itself that I never would have known. And the guide was so involved in the subject matter, she made it a very emotional experience for all of us. We ended up spending about an hour in the Sistine Chapel itself which never could have happened without the tour. I would definitely do this again. It’s well worth the money.” –Robert Z, USA
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Robert.
At the moment we are offering this exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on the dates listed below. We will offer additional dates as we get them, so keep checking back or sign up for Viator.com’s email newsletter for the latest updates. This is a completely unique experience, exploring the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after hours, without the crowds, with time to admire the amazing art and architecture in peace and quiet. What a way to spend an evening in Rome…
Available Dates for the Private Tour of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel
- Friday, May 9, 2008
- Saturday, June 7, 2008
- Friday, June 20, 2008
- Friday, July 4, 2008
- Monday, July 21, 2008
- Saturday, August 2, 2008
- Saturday, August 23, 2008
- Friday, September 5, 2008
- Monday, September 22, 2008
–The Viator Team
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s things to do in Italy, including Rome tours, Florence sightseeing, attractions in Tuscany and more.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:42pm
Under Travel Blog
So you’ve made it to Kuala Lumpur – the capital of Malaysia and one of the undiscovered gems in southeast Asia. Very few tourists pass through KL, as Kuala Lumpur is universally known. Most favor Thailand or Singapore for their southeast Asian adventures, but not you, because you are looking for something different. And we applaud you for that.
Kuala Lumpur: Get Cultured
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| Indiatown in Kuala Lumpur |
The first stop to learn about Malaysian culture is the National Museum. After a thorough overview of Malaysian heritage, you may want to visit the Islamic Art Museum and the National Mosque (right across the street from the Islamic Art Museum). Next up: a stop at Merdeka Square, which can be easily combined with a visit to Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque in KL. Take a break at the Petronas Towers (consider dinner at the Petronas Towers) and you’re well on your way to exploring the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Museums are a fantastic way to experience KL. But even better to experience the diversity here is wandering the street markets and food stalls that dot the city. Taking a walk from Masjid Jamek up to Chinatown takes you through some of the most diverse areas of the city, where you can chat with the locals as they go about their daily business. Don’t be afraid to stroll down the side streets and take a look inside some of the many interesting and unique shops in this downtown area.
To see another side of KL, take a side trip to Indiatown (just north of Chinatown) – a very small, but authentic, section of the city where you can enjoy delicious Indian food from one of the many street vendors, have a sari or Punjabi suit made in a few days, or sing and dance along with the booming Bollywood music streaming from every shop.
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur
It’s a cliche, but there you have it: KL is a shopper’s paradise. Anything and everything is on sale in the city’s many malls, markets and street-side stalls. From the malls of Bukit Bintang to the splendor of Suria KLCC, you can shop in air-conditioned comfort for hours!
If you’re looking for local souvenirs and crafts head to the Central Market. There are plenty of bargains to be had in bustling Chinatown, which reminds me: in KL the key to a successful shopping experience is to bargain. Prices are never fixed here (unless you’re in an internationally-known chain store), so don’t hesitate to ask for “the best price” whether you’re in an air-conditioned mall, like Low Yat, or out on the street in Chinatown. No matter where you are, keep it light and fun, with a smile on your face – angry bargaining is seen as very rude in this part of the world. And don’t forget, it’s all part of the adventure!
An excellent place to start is Bukit Bintang (Star Hill in Bahasa Malayu), the heart of downtown KL. If you’re looking for the luxury shops, you can find everything from high-end designers like Gucci and Prada at the Star Hill Mall (next door to the Westin Hotel). The lower level also houses a great variety of gourmet restaurants.
Next door to the Star Hill Mall is Lot 10, one of the most popular stops for local fashionistas – great shoes and great bargains can be found in this slightly smaller, mid-priced shopping mall. Further down the street is Low Yat Plaza – electronics is the name of the game here, everything from cell phones to digital cameras to computers to MP3 players (but no clothes, shoes, glasses or books). Don’t forget to bargain hard, though, prices start in the stratosphere, but you can usually get some great deals if you’re willing to try a little banter with the shopkeepers.
Suria KLCC is Malaysia’s premiere shopping outlet – directly underneath the Petronas Towers. The ground level houses designer boutiques, while the upper levels showcase more mid-level shops. Suria has some great restaurants along with an international food court.
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| A Night Market in Kuala Lumpur |
Another great shopping stop is the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, specifically Jalan Petaling. Knock-offs of just about everything can be found, along with more traditional Chinese items. Prices are aimed at well-heeled tourists, so don’t forget to negotiate for everything – start at around 1/3rd of the quoted price and work up from there.
If you’re still on your feet by the time the sun goes down, KL has a great selection of Pasar Malam (night markets) all around the city. The Sunday night market in Bangsar is one of the largest, and a frequent favorite of expats living in KL. Fresh fruits and vegetables, along with all sorts of clothes, accessories and souvenirs can be found at any one of these fabulous markets.
Dining in Kuala Lumpur
Make sure you come to KL hungry because there is a lot to eat! From a budget meal on the street to a luxury, gourmet experience, there is something for everyone. One of the best places to explore KL’s culinary variety is Bangsar – just 5 minutes outside of the city center.
Those on a budget can feast on Indian, Chinese and Malay at any of the fantastic food stalls for a truly Malaysian dining experience. One of my favorite places to snack is Devi’s Corner in Bangsar (across from Bangsar Village) – start with some chicken satay from the vendor on the corner, add a delicious naan bread or roti Chennai, some Tandori chicken and some nasi goreng; wash it all down with some fresh fruit juice, and you have a meal fit for a king, but priced less than RM50 (US$14).
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| Devi’s Corner in Kuala Lumpur |
For those with slightly deeper pockets, Bangsar is a diner’s delight – restaurants range from Spanish tapas to Italian to Middle Eastern to German. Some favorite expat hangouts are La Bodega for tapas and Sangria; Telawi Street Bistro for Western European fare and great desserts, and Haus Frankfurt for authentic German sausage and schnitzel.
Kuala Lumpur’s Nightlife
Despite being a Muslim country, Malaysia has its fair share of bars and clubs (though alcohol can be quite pricey). A popular stop for tourists is around the corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan P. Ramlee – an area of wall-to-wall bars, clubs and restaurants. Another hot spot, though slightly less noisy, is Bangsar – along with all those tasty restaurants, you can find trendy bars open until the early hours of the morning. A little farther afield is Sri Hartamas, a more local hangout, with a few small clubs and bars, catering more to the expat population.
–Kim Cofino
Planning a trip to Malaysia? Browse Viator’s list of tours and things to do in Kuala Lumpur, from a KL City Tour to dinner at the Petronas Towers to the Kuala Selangor Fireflies.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:40pm
Under Travel Blog
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| Pompeii: A popular day trip from Rome |
You could easily spend a lifetime in Rome and still not touch every corner. Yet even if your goal is to experience each and every hidden alleyway in Rome, step outside the city for a day trip or two. Even for stays in Rome as short as 5 nights, you could follow our 3-day Rome itinerary and then take one or two of the following day trips.
Are you craving sacred monasteries, Baroque-era gardens, or vibrant Italian cityscapes? Or are you thinking “lounge on the beach”? Either way, it’s all reachable within about two hours (more or less) from Rome.
Rome Day Trips: Ostia Antica, Tivoli & Villa d’Este
Ostia Antica was ancient Rome’s port city. Today you can explore the archaeological park that stretches over an area of about 10,000 acres. You’ll walk along the streets the ancient Romans walked, and still see the grooves in the road from the carts and carriages they used. You can also see examples of excellently preserved mosaics and ancient baths, shops and temples. You can book a day tour of Ostia Antica that includes transport and a local guide, or you can reach Ostia Antica by taking the Lido di Ostia train (which you can catch at the station next to Piramide or EUR Magliana, both on the Metro B line; your local ATAC public transport ticket is valid for the entire journey).
Lido di Ostia is the seashore closest to Rome, and in the summer you can expect elbow-to-elbow sunbathers. There is a private beach at the end of the 07 bus line (once you get off the Lido di Ostia train at Cristoforo Colombo), but the majority of beaches are run by stabilimenti (bathing establishments), where you will pay a fee to get in and additional fees to rent equipment such as lounge chairs, umbrellas and changing cabins. However, if you can’t get to one of Italy’s more popular coastal areas, this is a quick and easy way to take a dip in Italian waters while keeping Rome as a home base.
Tivoli is famous for Hadrian’s Villa, where the Emperior Hadrian came to relax and where he lived out his final years until 138 AD. This magnificent villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can still admire the statues and pools while wandering the spacious grounds. Villa d’Este is a stunning example of Baroque garden/landscape architecture, with impressive fountains that were designed to play with the effects of jets of water using gravity alone. Viator has a day trip to Tivoli and Villa d’Este. Or take the Metro line B to Ponte Mammolo, then the local blue Cotral bus to Tivoli, where Villa d’Este is located. Once in Tivoli, you can catch a local bus to take you to Hadrian’s Villa.
If you’d like to get more off the beaten path, consider renting a car for a day or two and taking to the road. A good one-day itinerary is to explore the Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco: San Benedetto and Santa Scolastica. Saint Benedict (480-547 AD) founded the order of Benedictine monks and was a hermit who lived in a cave carved out of the mountainside here. The remains of this cave are still visible during a visit to the upper monastery. You can also see detailed 13th-century frescoes that tell the story of the life and miracles of Benedict and his twin sister Santa Scolastica. A small group of monks still live and work here and you can purchase their medicinal teas, honeys, and digestives at two shops that they run on the premises.
For lunch, head to the little-known mountaintop town of Fumone. The name translates roughly to “big smoke,” and this fortified village was used in ancient times to send smoke signals warning Rome of advancing intruders. The town is a charming labyrinth of narrow cobblestone lanes and a good place to have lunch is at the Taverna del Barone (via del Ponte 4, tel. 0775 49655), an original medieval tavern that serves a fixed-price menu of traditional local foods including delicious handmade pasta, with servers in period dress and often accompanied by live music.
After lunch take a tour of the Castello di Fumone, Fumone’s own castle, with many a legend and ghost story to be had. The noble Longhi De Paolis family still lives in part of the castle, and it is also a working bed and breakfast, if you dare to stay overnight (Via Umberto I, 27; tel. 0775 49023).
Nothing in Italy is too far from Rome. The idea that exploring Italy by train is always an idyllic journey over rolling fields of sunflowers is a bit of a myth; however, you can use Trenitalia from Rome to reach two of Italy’s most important cities in about 90 minutes. You can also book guided tours from Rome (see below). Whether you decide to go for the art lover’s capital of Florence, or pizza lover’s paradise of Naples, either of these trips is an easy excursion from Rome.
Florence (or Firenze, as the city is known in Italian) was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and therefore is a must-see on the list of most visitors to Italy. It is relatively easy to reach most of the big sights in a day trip to Florence from Rome. And you won’t want to miss the museums in Florence, from Duomo, the Accademia Gallery (home of Michelangelo’s David), the Uffizi Gallery, or perhaps start with an overview tour of the city.
Many travelers tend to overlook Naples, or actually intentionally avoid it, but they’re missing out on a unique and unforgettable experience. It is true that Naples is more chaotic and haphazard than most other Italian cities, and it’s always good advice to keep close watch on your belongings here (as in any big city). But once you get past the hustle and bustle, you’ll discover treasures like the city’s incredible Museo Archeologico (Archeological Museum, Piazza Museo 19) and the taste of what many Italians consider the only authentic pizza (try Pizzeria Lombardi a Santa Chiara,Via Benedetto Croce 54). Another easy day trip in the Naples area is Pompeii, an unbelievable walk through history.
–Shelley Ruelle
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s things to do in Italy, including Rome tours, Florence sightseeing, attractions in Tuscany and more.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:36pm
Under Travel Blog
Editor’s Note: Terry Carter has photographed and, with his wife and writing partner, Lara Dunston, written or contributed to half a dozen travel guides to Dubai and the UAE and have made it their home base since 1998. We asked Lara and Terry to write about experiencing the “real” Dubai. They have kindly obliged with a guide to eating, sleeping & sightseeing in Dubai aimed at first-time visitors.
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| Top thing to do in Dubai? Soak up the atmosphere. |
Things to Do in Dubai, Day 1: Bur Dubai
Need a place to sleep during your three-day tour? For a supremely ‘local’ experience check in to the boutique Orient House in the atmospheric pedestrian-only Bastakiya area. Or if you prefer a stylish update of the Arabian experience try the Qamardeen or Al Manzil hotels near the new Burj Dubai (currently the tallest building in the world). Of course for an all-out 1001 Arabian Nights experience, it’s hard to go past the plush and more-than-a-little sexy One&Only Royal Mirage.
Now in keeping with our Emirati /Arabian theme, start the day with a cultural breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), a rare opportunity to try authentic Emirati food, learn about local culture and ask any questions you have about traditional and contemporary Gulf life – don’t be shy!
Wander around the Bastakiya area with its enigmatic, restored wind-tower houses. Once home to wealthy Persian traders, it’s now the centre of a flourishing art scene. Head to the Majlis Gallery for some souvenirs, XVA gallery for a snapshot of contemporary Middle East art, followed by a casual lunch at the nearby Basta Art Café where the fruit cocktails are sublime and relaxing under the shady trees is a treat.
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| Breakfast at Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Dubai |
To further escape the afternoon heat, make your next stop the compact and compelling Dubai Museum, housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings (a restored fort) and learn how this former fishing village evolved into the daring metropolis it is today.
After taking in the amusing dioramas of old souq (market) life at the museum, take a late afternoon meander through the Bur Dubai souq while the traders are shaking off their siesta and check out the tempting textiles, sparkling slippers, cheap kitsch t-shirts, and the fascinating ‘Hindi Lane’, where local Hindus head to worship, buying fragrant flowers and fruit offerings for their rituals.
As the suns sets, stroll along the Creek’s edge down to the Shindagha area, stopping in at Sheikh Saeed’s house to check out the wonderful historic photo collection in the beautifully restored residence, then head into the Heritage and Diving Village where recreations of coastal life of the local people are wonderfully realised. If you’re fortunate, you might catch locals performing traditional songs and dances as well as old Emirati women preparing tasty traditional bread.
With your taste buds tantalised, have an Arabic dinner at Kan Zaman overlooking the Creek or head back to the Bastakiya area to dine at the enchanting Bastakiyah Nights, completing your day of tasting local Emirati life. Or, if you’re up for more, head to one of the sheesha (water pipe or hookah) cafés that are dotted along the Creek to finish the night with a local ritual – try the aromatic apple sheesha.
Things to Do in Dubai, Day 2: Deira
Day 2 starts with another must-do Dubai experience – an abra (water taxi) ride across the Creek to the other side of the city (Deira). Everyone from South-East Asian expat traders, locals in their elegant flowing dishdashas (the blindingly-white local dress), and tourists use this form of transport, as much to soak up the Creek atmosphere as to beat the bridge and tunnel traffic – all for a measly 33 cents. You’ll get a glimpse of the restored wind-tower architecture on the waterfront, and pass dhows (traditional cargo-carrying wooden boats) making their way to a berth along the Creek. Once safely on terra firma, take a wander along the fascinating dhow wharves where everything from four-wheel-drives to the kitchen sink are loaded on these boats bound for Gulf and Asian destinations.
Stroll across to sample the aromas in the spice souq then follow the souq down to two of Dubai’s underrated historic gems. The Ahmadiya School (1912) was Dubai’s first private school and has been restored with exquisite attention to detail, while the adjacent Heritage House (1890) was once owned by the wealthy pearling merchant who started the school. Both are wonderful traditional houses of the pre-oil era and showcase the charm of and grace of local courtyard houses.
Back out on the streets, get lost in the covered souq (don’t panic, everyone does!) and mix up your own fragrance at one of the plentiful perfume houses. Size yourself up for a sparkly kitsch belly-dancing outfit (for her) or a dapper wooden cane (for him) or weigh up some simple or ornate jewelery at the legendary gold souq, where you can bargain for some of the cheapest gold in the world – shop around and enjoy the haggling ritual! One of our favourite breaks on this shopping excursion is to grab a cheap, filling shawarma (juicy, fragrant lamb or chicken rolled up in a pita bread) and a super-fresh mango juice at Ashwaq Cafeteria, a block from the gold souq.
If you want to shop until you drop, jump in a taxi and head to Deira City Centre (one of Dubai’s oldest and most popular shopping malls) where you can escape the heat, do some people-watching and buy some souvenirs – haggle for carpets, Aladdin’s lamps and beautiful hand-beaten brass coffee pots. Be prepared to shop for another suitcase to get your haul home! Take a coffee break and hang out with the locals who meet their friends here for a chat at one of the myriad cafés.
Freshen up back at the hotel, then if you can’t get enough of the Creek, take a dinner cruise on the Bateaux Dubai, or, if you’re craving more Middle-Eastern atmosphere, make a late booking for Awtar, the Lebanese restaurant at the Grand Hyatt where the classic Lebanese night out of mezze (starter snacks), fragrant grilled meats, sheesha, band and belly dancer melds into the early hours.
Things to Do in Dubai, Day 3: Jumeirah & the Desert
Start the day with a tour of the handsome Jumeirah Mosque with the SMCCU people. On a visit to the mosque you learn about the Islamic prayer rituals, from how the five times daily call-to-prayer (signified by the melody of the mezzuin who leads the prayer) is calculated by the sun and moon, to the performing of ablutions (washing before prayer) and how the prayer ritual is carried out. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions about Islam in general at the Q&A session afterwards.
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| Dubai Desert Safari |
Jump in a taxi or a local bus (they run frequently along Jumeirah Beach Rd) and head up to Madinat Jumeirah, a contemporary interpretation of an old Arabian souq. Here you can do some more shopping, take in the atmosphere, and watch the abras glide along the man-made canals. Have lunch at one of the excellent waterside restaurants (there’s everything from pasta to Moroccan) before heading back to the hotel to freshen up before your desert safari in Dubai’s desert conservation reserve.
After an exhilarating drive through the dunes, where you might spot the rare and reintroduced oryx (like a desert dwelling deer) but will see plenty of camels, prepare yourself for a sublime desert sunset. The safari provides a great opportunity to catch up on those must-do’s that you didn’t have time for over the last couple of days – you can take a camel ride, watch a belly dancer, get a henna tattoo, sample some local cuisine, and smoke some sheesha. And while the safari is definitely a touristy th’ng to do, you can drink a toast to having experienced the closest you’ll get to the ‘old’ Arabian Dubai.
–Terry Carter
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s complete list of tours in Dubai, from desert sandboarding safaris to Dubai city sightseeing tours.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:34pm
Under Travel Blog
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| Iguazu Falls area - Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay |
I have not been to Brazil. That’s the official line and I am sticking to it. However, the reality is, I have been to Brazil. Well…
My trip was simple enough. After visiting the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls we would transit the very corner of Brazil to Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, where we booked a charming riverside guest house to spend a couple of days before taking a local bus to Asuncion. (That’s a story for a future post!)
As any prepared traveler, I checked the situation for visas with both the US State Department and each countries consulate– Paraguay, check. Argentina, Check. Brazil: Not required for transit from Argentina to Paraguay. Excellent! Brazilian visas are expensive and I was happy to not pay this. I printed the information page from the consular website to take with me, “just in case”.
After several incredible days of hiking and relaxing at Iguazu, we hired a local taxi to take us to the border of Brazil. From there, we would transit by bus to Paraguayan border, walk across the bridge and take another local taxi to our guesthouse. At the Argentine/Brazil border, we were stamped out of Argentina with a hearty “Adios” and “Buen Viaje”. We walked through the no-man’s land to the Brazilian immigration office and presented our shiny blue American passports. The officer frowned and fired something at us in Portuguese.
Now, my partner speaks Spanish fluently and with a little improvisation can get out some basic phrases in Portuguese, but did we hear this correctly? They wanted $250 ($150 more than a “real” Brazilian visa) to transit for 45 minutes?? No way! We tried to explain the situation that a visa was not required. I even provided the printout that I brought with me from home – BAD MOVE! As it turns out, the US had just started charging $100 for a US visa to Brazilians and they were one of the first groups of travelers to be photographed and fingerprinted for entry. Needless to say, there was no negotiation and we simply were turned away. Dejected, we took a taxi back to Argentina and called our guesthouse in Paraguay to tell them that we could not make it – and that’s where the fun began!
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Shortly after our news, our Paraguayan hosts called back and said that they were coming to pick us up - on a speedboat! It turns out that the boat can motor down the Parana River and navigate directly to the Argentine waters without ever entering Brazil. Great! We were instructed to go down to the river area, where the boat would meet us. What service! We trekked down to the boat docks and waited. It was a Sunday and the normal ferries were not running. The area was deserted and a bit eerie. We waited and waited.
About an hour later, the phone rang again – the boat was not working. Now they were coming to get us - with a car. Again, we explained our situation and they told us not to worry. We would not need to go through customs. Intrigued (and not wanting to re-arrange the rest of the trip), we agreed. About an hour later, a car (with Paraguayan tags) arrived. We were warmly greeted by the Manuel, the hotel owner and his Brazilian girlfriend Ratina. They gave us a glass of wine and we chatted as we sped off toward Brazil for the second time. As we approached the border, Manuel casually turned around and told us to “crouch down on the floor”. It was then that it hit me. We were not being “assisted” through customs. We were being “smuggled” through customs and it was too late to turn back now. We did as we were told and Manuel drove through the commuter lane and waived at the guards. It was that easy. We were in Foz de Iguacu, Brazil! Manuel and Ratina wanted to stop in for a bite to eat. By this time we were a little concerned and did not want any more troubles. We asked if we could just continue on to the hotel instead. They insisted that we celebrate our Brazil “visit” with a drink. We reluctantly agreed and stopped for a glass of wine. Manuel also bought a bottle of scotch. This was clearly a lot of fun for them.
Our departure from Brazil was quite simple. Once again, we were instructed to crouch on the floorboards as Manuel sped through the gates. Our arrival in Ciudad del Este was also straight forward. Manuel explained that the guards may wonder why we did not have an entry/exit stamp from Brazil and he would take care of everything for us. He took our passports (complete with official Paraguay visas) AND the bottle of scotch from earlier. Ah-ha! Something to smooth our entry. Fifteen minutes later it was “Bienvenidos – Paraguay,” and we were back on track.
–Ken Frohling
Editor’s note – Viator does not condone Human Trafficking, Smuggling or Bribery and Ken’s HR file has been duly noted. If you are going to Brazil or Argentina (legally), check out our full range of tours at Viator.com.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:33pm
Under Travel Blog
It’s almost time for Jazz Fest in New Orleans — the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May, to be precise. It’s a time of renewal, when musicians and fans of the city return and, in some parts of town (for at least a week), it feels like Katrina never happened. To be sure Jazz Fest is a wonderful event, and also a reassurance that the Big Easy can still put on a show and a party all at once. New Orleans kicks it up for a number of other festivals as well, including Mardi Gras and the French Quarter Festival (this month). But what about the rest of the year?
I have been dropping in on New Orleans since 1988 and, like many, I have come to regard the city as an old, eccentric friend. Since Hurricane Katrina struck in the late summer of 2005, my visits have acquired a tinge of melancholy. Or perhaps it’s merely the diminished levity you would expect to experience while checking in on a once-vigorous old man as he recovers from a stroke. The house is still exquisitely disheveled and endlessly interesting, but along with your usual curiosity you bring genuine concern for the old man’s wellbeing. Deep down, you know the old man will never be the same.
In this case, my concern is mixed with a vague and uncertain hopefulness. The floods and political dithering that followed Hurricane Katrina in September 2005 had the effect of a rising and receding tide. Part of the city was washed away forever. But perhaps something new and no less alive was left in its place. Perhaps, too, new seeds will blow in and take root.
New Orleans: Cool Car No, Beef Po’boy Yes
On a recent Wednesday afternoon I arrived at Louis Armstrong International and found my way to the Avis counter. I asked about the company’s “Cool Car” collection, thinking it might be a kick to test drive a Ford Mustang. The woman at the counter shook her head sympathetically. “Not at this location, sir.” When I asked why, she simply said, “High theft.”
That would be a reference to New Orleans’ crime problem. The city’s population is at about 60 percent of its pre-Katrina figures, but crime is as bad as ever. New Orleans has always had its bad-news side, but when a city is in a state of recovery, the bad news hits harder. The real victims, of course, are the residents trying to rebuild their lives and their communities here. I, on the other hand, would make out alright with a Chevy Impala.
Rather than head directly to my hotel, I detoured to an old haunt, Liuzza’s by the Track, for a roast beef Po’boy - New Orleans’ version of a hero sandwich. The lunch hour was over and the place was only half full. A favorite time of day for me. A heavy-set cop at one table, a pregnant woman one over, an old-timer telling stories to some younger guys at the bar, and black and white photos of jockeys and horses watching over the scene. I ordered a bowl of gumbo and a sandwich and settled down. This little corner of the city felt right as ever.
New Orleans: Onward to Frenchmen
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| Spotted Cat, Frenchmen St, New Orleans |
With renewed energy, I drove the Impala down Esplanade, hooked left onto Frenchmen, and checked into the Frenchmen Hotel. Nice enough spot, in a Creole townhouse with a back courtyard. Its real strength was location. Frenchmen Street had always been one of the city’s best entertainment strips, long before Katrina, and it recovered quickly after the disaster. Parts of the Quarter are great. But I prefer the local vibe on Frenchmen Street. Tourists do come here, but they’re not of the boozy-wet-T-shirt variety that swarms Bourbon Street.
That night, a bar crawl revealed some surprises. Ray’s Boom Boom Room, Blue Nile, the Spotted Cat, the Apple Barrel, d.b.a., and Snug Harbor were not only open and featuring live music (trad jazz, modern jazz, blues, brass bands, Gypsy swing, and country on this night), but all were packed. This was an ordinary Wednesday. A relatively quiet night just a few blocks away in the French Quarter, during an obvious lull in the tourist season. Yet Frenchmen Street was hopping.
Before Katrina, I could go from club to club and expect to run into familiar faces and old friends, but things have changed. Perhaps I don’t spend enough time here anymore. New Orleans has always attracted new residents, typically young people still unburdened by careers, families, and property, ready and willing to spend a few years in the USA’s most exotic city. I’m guessing Katrina washed out a good portion of one generation of such people, scattered them to their hometowns or to other cities that exert a pull on wayward souls. By all appearances a new crop of outsiders has filled the void. New Orleans’ musical appeal isn’t lost on them, either.
Most of the musicians are still around - familiar characters like Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and Washboard Chaz. These artists are all gifted performers who tour regularly, but their New Orleans shows benefit from the context, intimacy, and familiarity that can’t be duplicated elsewhere. Frenchmen Street is a row of house parties.
In the midst of it all, however, I encountered Lionel Batiste, Sr., bass drummer of the legendary Tremé Brass Band, sitting alone at the bar of the Spotted Cat, looking sullen and out of place. By his demeanor I took it he didn’t want to be bothered, so I didn’t ask what was on his mind. But I couldn’t help but think that all was not well with the music scene when the usually gregarious Lionel seem so out of sync with it. On the other hand, you can’t always extrapolate from what may just be one man’s bad night.
New Orleans: A Tour of the Lower Ninth Ward
The next morning, however, I decided to poke around a bit. I drove down to the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the most heavily devastated sections of town, to see if there was any sign the neighborhood was likely to ever come back. Two years ago, when I visited after Katrina, the bashed up houses of the Lower Ninth lay about like unmoored boats washed ashore. Now they’re gone.
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| Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans |
The streets, cracked sidewalks, power lines, and a few sturdy oaks are all that remain. The lots are overgrown with grasses and weeds, chunks of foundation poking up like unmarked tombstones. A mere handful of the neighborhood’s residents have returned, some having rebuilt, others inhabiting white FEMA trailors.
These are the stalwarts who prefer to live in the ghostly void of their old neighborhood, rather than in Houston or Atlanta.
The Lower Ninth was predominantly a black neighborhood. It was poor, to be sure, but deeply rooted and full of life. Parts of town such as this one contributed so much to New Orleans’ multi-cultural traditions. As I stood amidst the desolation of the Lower Ninth Ward, I could see little reason to believe it will ever really come back.
New Orleans: Signs of Hope in Mid-City
Elsewhere, however, I found signs of hope. Mid-City, the broad patchwork of mixed neighborhoods between the French Quarter and City Park, is gradually returning to life. I drove to Willie Mae’s, a great old soul food restaurant run by an ancient black woman who must be in her 90s by now. It was closed, but a fresh coat of exterior paint and neatly set tables inside indicated I had just chosen the wrong day to show up. Nearby, I checked in on Ernie K-Doe’s Mother-in-Law Lounge, a bar opened by the late, great soul singer before his untimely passing in 2001. Here, too, freshly painted murals suggested good times will soon roll again. As I stood in front, snapping photos, the door opened and Antoinette K-Doe, Ernie’s widow, invited me in. It was midday, and the place wasn’t actually open. But this is the sort of informal hospitality New Orleans has always been known for.
I had read about Antoinette’s Katrina travails. She and three other people had been trapped upstairs for a week as the ground-floor bar filled with water. She had warned off looters by firing a shotgun into the sky. The bar had been stripped and remodeled, and thanks to Antoinette’s good care, a life-sized statue of Ernie survived the disaster. The Ernie statue now sat in the lounge, looking dapper in a fire-engine red suit, while Antoinette waxed philosophical about the future.
“You got to go on with your life,” she said with a shrug. “Make the most of each day, ’cause you can’t do it over. Getting stressed don’t help. It just puts you in the ground sooner.”
–Tom Downs
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s New Orleans tours & things to do and travel tips & itineraries in New Orleans.
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 07:30pm
Under Travel Blog
At Viator.com we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about sustainable travel, and about how we can make a difference. There’s no denying that travel — air travel in particular — is a major source of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Any serious attempt to grapple with global warming must include a strategy to offset the negative impacts of domestic and international travel.
One thing we’ve done at Viator is create a carbon offset program for both our staff (who will collectively fly an estimated 1.2 million miles this year, so we have plenty of minimizing and offsetting to do) as well as for you, our customers and fellow travelers. To offset your own carbon emissions, visit our Go Carbon Neutral page and learn what you can do to help.
Beyond mitigating the impact of travel, we wanted to learn more about sustainability in general. Minimizing the impact of travel is a great start. But it’s only one piece of a much larger (and frankly complicated) puzzle. To give us some perspective we asked Paul Redman-Brown, the director of Australia’s Natural Strategies Group, to give us his top 10 tips for living a sustainable lifestyle. We hope Paul’s list of 10 sustainability actions strikes a chord with you. It did with us.
#1 Reduce & offset car emissions
A litre of petrol produces about 2.5kg (5 lbs) of greenhouse gases, while a US gallon produces nearly 15 lbs of greenhouse gases. So let’s use less and offset the emissions we “have” to have. Here are some suggestions:
- Drive less — walk, ride & use public transport instead
- If you must drive, plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips and save both time and fuel (for the first couple of minutes of a car trip the engine is cold and this results in an increase in fuel consumption)
- Inflate tires to the maximum recommended pressure
- Travel light - an extra 50kg (110 lbs) increases fuel consumption by 2%
- Remove roof racks to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag
- Drive a smaller, more efficient car
- If driving a manual select the correct gear - driving in a lower gear wastes fuel
- Drive more slowly - at 110km/h (68 mph) your car uses 25% more fuel than at 90km/h (55 mph)
- Use the air-conditioning sparingly - air-conditioning increases fuel consumption by up to 10%
#2 Embrace energy efficiency
Energy conservation through the adoption of efficient technology and behaviors saves resources and money. Here are some simple starters:
- Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, produce the same amount of light, and can last up to 10 times longer.
- Block the summer heat. Install blinds and sun shades or plant deciduous trees to prevent the summer heat from over-heating your house.
- Circulate air. Install ceiling fans for cooling in summer and circulating rising heat in winter, and decommission your air-conditioner.
- In winter, turn your heating thermostat down a few degrees (say to 20°C or 70°F) and bundle up
- Let nature work for you. Use your clothes line rather than the clothes dryer.
#3 Buy renewable electricity
Every time you use electricity in your home, greenhouse gases are belched out on your behalf. So buy the clean stuff! Simply seek out and purchase 100% renewable electricity from your local provider, or offset your normal electricity supply with carbon credits from trees or renewable electriciy.
#4 Invest ethically
Your investments may fund activities that are not sustainable and may be contrary to your ethics. Money talks, what is yours saying?
- Find an ‘ethical’ or socially responsible financial advisor. Check sites like Google, the Ethical Investment Association Australasia, or the UK’s Ethical Investment Co-Operative.
- When making an investment, ask yourself: does my investment support or detract from my stated position or ethics?; does my investment add to or detract from the quality of world my children will inherit; would I support what this company is doing if there were not dollars to be made by investing in it?
#5 Eat less meat
Land used for beans and vegetables produces 10 times as much protein as land used for raising beef. Sound scary or impossible? It’s not the difficult, here’s how you can start:
#6 Promote sustainable living
Help spread the word about those actions we can all take to reduce our impact on the environment. Spread the word about sustainability: The more discussions, arguments and gentle cajoling we engage in, the better. So do the actions to move yourself toward sustainability and then encourage others.
#7 Carpool
Those regular trips to work, the market or school can be done with others — and you’ll have more fun, use less and spend less.
- Car pool to work. Send an email around work asking if anyone lives close to you and if they would be keen to alternate driving to work with you.
- Car pool to the store. Speak to you neighbour and explore if they’d be keen, and if it’s convenient, to share the regular trip to the supermarket of local food markets.
- Car pool the kids to school. Speak to the parents of your children’s local friends and see if you can alternate driving the kids to school (this one means less time on the road for you, too!).
#8 Immerse yourself in nature
Go hiking, bird watching, swimming in the sea and simply enjoy nature and your connection to it. It’s good for the body and great for the soul. We are blessed with a fantastic natural environment, and the adage “Use it or lose it!” applies abundantly to this shrinking and under-resourced part of our society. So organize a family picnic at the botanic gardens, a sea-kayaking adventure with your mates, or a short walk through some rainforest you come across in your travels. Take a deep breath and be thankful for nature’s wonder.
#9 Generate less, use less
The average Australian or American household wastes over $1,000 dollars per year purchasing items they never use. So use what you buy, buy less and save. Some simple ideas to get your creative processes rolling:
- Eat all the fresh and takeaway food you purchase. Don’t waste it.
- Buy a lunchbox for leftovers and take it to work
- Have a couple of “clear out the fridge” meals prior to the next visit to the grocery store
- Get better at only buying what you’ll use.
- Pause every time you go to buy clothes, shoes, etc… and ask yourself if you really and truly need the item.
#10 Buy local & seasonal food
Locally produced food that is grown in sync with the seasons is fresher, healthier and tastes better. And it doesn’t consume as much energy to produce and transport. Here’s what you can do to support locally grown foods:
At Viator we’re doing what we can to take every step, even small ones, in the direction of sustainable travel and sustainable lifestyles. We hope you take this journey along with us.
–Scott McNeely
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By admin
April 24th, 2008 at 12:15am
Under Travel Blog
Ladies, if you ever need your mood lifted, go to Rome.
It’s very difficult for a woman to walk down the street there without being greeted with ‘Ciao, bella’ or ‘Buongiorno, beautiful lady.’ Very good for the ego. And definitely not pick-up lines but just part of the joy of life embraced by Italians. My theory is that all that pasta, wine and sugary cake makes them feel so happy they want to share the joy. Well, bring it on I say.
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| Trevi Fountain, Rome |
Rome: Getting situated
I recently went to Rome for the third time and the geography of the city fell into place for me. If you have the luxury of returning to places, it seems to me that the third visit is key. The first visit, I’m a bit overwhelmed by new sights and sounds and smells. On the second I fill in the blanks, things I’ve heard about since my first visit, places I missed, venturing a bit further afield. But on this third visit to Rome, I suddenly realised where the Colosseum is in relation to the Pantheon, how to walk from the Trevi Fountain to the river without slavishly consulting a map, and braved buses and trams.
We flew cheaply from London and landed at the secondary, smaller airport, Ciampino. I’d always come in via Fiumicino, which has a train straight to the central station, Termini. But Ciampino was just as easy – and cheap – to get in from. A shuttle bus to the Metro A line which goes straight through central Rome (you can also book a private Ciampino airport transfer over on the main Viator site). There are only two Metro lines so it’s pretty easy to negotiate. I just wish I spoke Italian because the carry-ons of a group of teenagers in our carriage made the sternest looking woman burst out laughing – oh for a Babelfish in my ear.
Our hotel was near the Spanish Steps, Hotel San Carlo. Not crazy expensive, basic breakfast included, and so well located (which is important when time is limited). The most alarming, but very Italian thing, was my room number: 74. The hotel has no lift and after climbing as far as the third floor and seeing rooms 30-40, I began to doubt surviving the climb to the 7th floor! Luckily, Italians are a little free and wild with numbering so the 4th floor was rooms 70-80.
Day 1 in Rome: Walking & eating
Day 1 we walked. Up the Spanish Steps, left past the Villa Medici, through the Borghese Gardens, stumbling across great buildings, aesthetic trees, courting couples. Then we headed down into Piazza del Popolo, along Via del Corso, a major shopping street and thoroughfare, crowded with shoppers and wanderers. We were slightly distracted by various shops, but while damaging your credit card, you can still appreciate amazing architecture.
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| Saturday Shopping in Rome |
And those police uniforms! Especially the carabinieri. Do they get these guys from Central Casting? Be still my beating heart. I had a job interview the day after I returned to London and when they asked me my weakness I had to stop myself replying “Italian Policemen”. But it is futile trying to get their attention – either they only stir themselves for really major crimes or they actually are window dressing while the real cops are hidden behind the scenes.
Dinner that night was at a great place in the grid of shopping and eating streets near our hotel: L’Enotec Antica on Via della Croce. We chose it because it looked atmospheric and the least touristy. We were right. There were lots of locals, the pasta was fresh, the service fast and efficient, the atmosphere great. After dinner, we wanted a nightcap but couldn’t get a seat at the bar so we went elsewhere: big mistake. In one of the many places with tables on the street, we were surrounded by young drinking English tourists and had a terrible tiramisu, which we didn’t finish according to the ‘empty calories’ theory (calories you don’t enjoy eating are pointless).
Day 2 in Rome: Ah, those Italian men
Day 2 we went for a coffee at Bar Gambero, a little place on Via della Vite and Via della Gambero that I had found a few years earlier. The same lovely waiters were still there, and they gave us free pastries – I flatter myself they remembered me but I suspect it is a first-visit tactic to make you a regular for your stay in Rome. Who cares! They were sugary goodness and the coffee was great.
Then we wandered. The Trevi Fountain is amazing if just for the sheer volume of people crowded around it. You have to wonder if the surrounding buildings are still apartments: imagine waking up to that everyday! Or even more fabulous, going to sleep looking at the fountain at night. It’s best all lit up, so we returned that night on our way home. We both threw in a coin and made a wish, avoiding the many, many guys offering to take our souvenir photo or push red roses into our hands followed by a demand for money. I can’t even imagine how crowded the small square must be in summer, at the height of the tourist season. Hang on tight to your handbag!
We visited the Pantheon. I love this building. Built around AD 120 – amazing. But one of the most interesting things is the way people behave there. It’s a sacred building, a basilica, and there are signs asking for respect and silence but people are wandering around talking loudly, sitting on the floor, yelling to friends. Maybe because it does not have the traditional church structure of aisle and altar and seating, it does not send us that ingrained message to be silent and reverent.
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| C U L8R AT 4UM |
Next we wandered towards the river, via Piazza Navona, a huge square full of restaurants. But we shied away from eating there fearing inflated prices and decreased quality food. Instead we wandered through winding back streets, full of cute shops and found a little bistro, still full of us English speakers but with a nicer, less frantic atmosphere.
Then we headed for the Forum and the Colosseum. From the wrong side. Ah, the joy of travel without a map and a plan. We walked and walked, skirting the outside of the Forum, getting a great view of the ruins below us, but not actually finding the way in! By the time we did (it’s near the Colosseum by the way) we were tired, it was 9 euros each and we felt like we’d seen it by then. So we continued on to circumnavigate the Colosseum. Again, we didn’t go in, not feeling the need to part with the cash when you can sort of see in, and get the sense of the haunted place from the outside. Then we saw my favourite sight for the weekend: a Centurion texting on his mobile phone.
Exhausted we caught the Metro back to our hotel before braving a bus and a tram to get to the Trastavere district for dinner. I had a conversation with the bus guy, him speaking Italian, me English, but we understood enough to find the right bus. Trastavere is full of bars and bistros but long queues on a Saturday night. We were lucky to get a table in a place called Da Othello, highly recommended, lovely staff, great busy atmosphere and terrific antipasto then seafood with the whole fish filleted at the table. And the meal including wine was really cheap.
Then back to our local enoteca for a nightcap and for my travelling companion to break the heart of a barman who became completely smitten. We ended up returning there the following night for our final meal and he blushed and charmed his way into our memories forever. Ah, those Italian men.
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By admin
March 15th, 2008 at 08:17am
Under Travel Blog
Recently we started publishing photos over on the viator.com website. And not just any old travel photos. These are photos taken by actual Viator travelers, photos of themselves on elephant treks, helicopter tours, desert safaris, private tours of the Vatican — and on hundreds of the other 5,000+ tours and things to do available on Viator.
In honor of this new feature, Viator is giving props each month to an individual traveler who makes us laugh, makes us smile, or who inspires us to make that next trip.
Simply submit your travel photos (see below for how this works) and you are eligible to win Viator’s Traveler of the Month. What do you win? A $100 gift certificate (or the equivalent in pounds or euros) to use on Viator.com! Each month we will chose a new winner. It might be the prettiest traveler photo, or the funniest, or most inspirational, or just most plain weird. So get traveling, take photos and submit them to viator.com when you return.
Without further ado, here are Viator’s ‘Traveler of the Month’ winners. Happy Travels.
March Traveler of the Month - Alexandra S, Australia
Alexandra S and her family recently went on a trip to Fiji and based on her photos and captions, they had a blast. The photo above is from the South Sea Island Day Cruise where they snorkeled and relaxed by the pool. Alexandra submitted some great photos of the South Sea Island Day Cruise in Fiji. If you’re looking to relax and have a fun trip with the kids in Fiji, Alexandra recommends this tour.
Alexandra says: “Kris has given his thumbs up for this experience. This is definitely a trip to take especially if you have kids.”
February Traveler of the Month - James A, UK
Here’s a shot taken by James A in Rome, on the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Rome Walking Tour. James submitted some great photos of Rome and the inside of the Vatican. And, according to James’ review he’s glad he booked ahead because the line to get into the Vatican was over 2.5 hours long!
James says: “We were enjoying our tour within 15 minutes, and the guide brought the Vatican alive. There is so much to see you simply would not enjoy any other way as it would not mean much without being explained. The headsets you are given for the tour are fab, and you can hear loud and clear what your guide is saying. We normally do our own thing on holiday; however, this is one of the rare places which the tour works very well.”
January Traveler of the Month - Sumit B, USA
Sumit B seems to be having a good time at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas, which he visited after purchasing the Las Vegas Power Pass. Sumit, his wife and his two embarrassed children met Beyonce, the Terminator, Johnny Depp, George Bush and Jenna Jameson, among others. Hopefully his wife forgives him for all of the photos with other women.
–The Viator Travel Team
Editor’s Note: We’ve posted the photos submitted by our Travelers of the Month over on the Viator Flickr site. Hop on over for some inspiration for your next trip.
How can you submit photos to Viator’s Traveler of the Month contest? It’s simple: book a tour with Viator and, when you return, you will receive a “Welcome Back” email. This email will invite you to submit reviews and photos of the tours and things to do on your trip. Tell other travelers what you loved, what you hated and show them in a photo. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
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By admin
March 15th, 2008 at 08:16am
Under Travel Blog
At Viator we’re constantly searching for new ways to experience destinations like a traveler, not just a tourist. Which is why we are pleased to offer the ground breaking, cutting edge, and profoundly yellow GPS-guided Storytelling GoCars for city touring over on the Viator website.
Huh? What’s that? What in the world are we talking about???
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| GPS GoCars in San Francisco |
Let’s start at the beginning. Once upon time a man named Nathan Withrington (along with his business partner Alasdair Clements) had a vision. What if visitors to a city could drive around in miniature cars with the latest GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology, with an audio tour that was “smart” like a local? Their idea was to allow visitors to leave their guidebooks behind and instead discover a city with clever talking cars that navigate and narrate as you drive. An on-board computer and a GPS-system do the thinking so travelers can sit back and explore the destination from a completely personalized perspective.
Fast-forward to 2004, and Nathan and Alasdair offer the first-ever GoCar GPS car rentals in San Francisco and San Diego. Since then their idea has really taken off. If you live on San Francisco or San Diego, you’ve probably seen these bright-yellow minicars navigating the streets, going places that most tourists never go.
We recently caught up with Nathan and asked him a few question about tourism, GPS technology and the growing popularity of GPS GoCars.
GPS GoCars: Interview with Nathan Withrington
Viator: So Nathan, what exactly is a GoCar?
Nathan: The GoCar is a new concept in tourism. We were the first company in the world that, through GPS technology, empowered sightseers to take themselves on a guided tour. Our little cars have a personality and are you tour guide. As you drive, they navigate like a traditional GPS, but that is not all. They will crack jokes with you, recommend restaurants and tell you the stories that bring the city to life. As you drive, the car give you options of places to go and things to see. The more options you take, the longer your tour. So for the first time in history, they can not only take themselves on a guided tour, they can choose when they leave, how long they go for, where they go, when to stop and the language the tour is given in.
Viator: I live in San Francisco, and I’ve been seeing more of these GPS-enabled cars on the streets. It sounds like your idea has really caught hold and taken off.
Nathan: It all started a few weeks after we opened our doors for business. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote a full-page article on us and put it on the front page of their technology section. Before you know it, Time magazine nominated us for “one of the most amazing inventions of the year.” From that point the press has just not stopped, from Today show, Travel Channel, BBC, New York Times, USA Today… and it just keeps coming.
Viator: OK, be straight with me here. Are GoCars safe? Has anybody ever driven one into the bay?
Nathan: Occasionally, some people are intimidated by the vehicle’s small size and the fact that they are driving on city streets. The vehicles are registered as mopeds but the fact that you have three wheels, not two, makes them much more stable. Thankfully to date, with over 65,000 happy customers, we have not had any serious incidents. We take safety very seriously and make sure everyone that drives a GoCar is given a thorough safety briefing on how to operate the vehicle. With regards to driving one in to the bay, you never know, maybe we will come out with an amphibious GoCar one day!
Viator: Do you need a special license? Special training?
Nathan: All you need is a standard drivers license. The vehicles are operated 100% with hand controls very similar to a bicycle. They are fully automatic, so there is no clutch or gears to worry about. After the safety briefing, most people take to it like a duck to water. The GPS will keep people of the busy streets for the most part and will even warn you when you are entering areas where you need to be cautious.
Viator: I’ve heard the GoCar audio tours as people drive by my house. Do you offer custom voices? Can I select John Wayne to give me a tour of SF?
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Yes, that really is Conan O’Brien
next to a GPS GoCar in San Francisco |
Nathan: We do offer custom themes. My favorite is the “MisterSF tour,” written and narrated by Mister San Francisco (of MisterSF.com) himself. This is a great tour for people that think they already know San Francisco. It does not take you to the obvious places like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard St, but rather it shows you the more notorious side of San Francisco, such as where a serial killer lived, where notorious murders happened and buildings that were destroyed in the 1989 earthquake.
Viator: Who’s the most famous person who’s rented a GoCar?
Nathan: You would be surprised at how many we have had. Just last week we had Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia, A Year of Wishful Drinking). We’ve also had the lead singer of Iron Maiden (Bruce Dickenson) rent one while he was here for OZ fest, Conan O’Brien and Tim Matheson to name a few. The most amazing person that rented from us may not be the most famous but I think it has to be Antonio “Tintín” Vizintín. If you don’t recognize his name, you have most likely heard his story as it was told in the 1993 movie Alive where the Uruguay rugby teams aircraft crashed in the Andes mountains. They were presumed dead but, some of them had actually survived and were forced to survive for 72 days without supplies by eating their expired team mates. Meeting someone with that amount of courage was just amazing.
Viator: Has anybody ever stolen a GoCar? Is it even possible to steal one?
Nathan: The great thing about the GoCar is that it is not exactly an inconspicuous vehicle! And it also has GPS tracking. We did have one incident where a couple stopped to have lunch and when they came out the car had gone. They called us to tell us the car had been stolen. All it took was one call to the police to say, “Yellow GoCar with the number 11 on it,” and 10 minutes later the car was recovered, given back to the customers and they were on their way!
Viator: OK, last question: What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven a GoCar?
Nathan: The fastest I’ve ever driven a GoCar? Well, firstly I need to say the cars are only designed to do 30 to 35mph. Having said that, being an engineer, I did modify one of the cars for my personal use to go faster. Much faster. I put an engine three times the size of a regular GoCar engine in it, and that particular GoCar would go over 60mph… for my personal enjoyment only.
Check it out for yourself. Rent a GPS GoCar in San Francisco or San Diego the next time you’re visiting. Or if you live in one of these cities, take your next out-of-town guests on a GPS GoCar tour.
–Scott McNeely
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s tours and things to do in San Francisco, San Diego and coastal California.
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By admin
March 15th, 2008 at 08:14am
Under Travel Blog
Sydney is a truly magnificent city, blessed with friendly people, great restaurants and one of the most spectacular natural settings of any city in the world. But there’s one area that Sydney is well below par, and it’s even led the proud locals to admit – shock, horror – that they’re being beaten by rival city Melbourne.
Sydney is a terrible place for a drink.
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| Sydney: Sure it’s pretty, but can you find a bloody drink anywhere? |
Until now your choices for an after-work tipple or a lazy Sunday afternoon session have been the pub (big, noisy, packed beer barns) and the club (big, noisy, packed beer barns… with poker machines).
All that is soon to change with the introduction of legislation aimed at reducing the licence fee for small venues. Current fees (around $15,000) are set to plummet to as little as $500 for small-capacity licensed premises. The bill, introduced to Parliament by Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore, states that Sydney should boast “a night economy that is diverse and in line with other cities - Australian cities like Melbourne and Perth, and European, American and Asian cities, such as Paris, Florence, San Francisco and Shanghai.”
Supporters of the change are excitedly predicting a rebirth of Sydney nightlife. No longer will those wanting a quiet drink with friends be forced to run the raucous gauntlet of George Street on a Saturday night. Smaller European-style bars and wine bars (so successful in Melbourne since similar licensing deregulation in the mid-1980s) will soon
